Here's a real
cowboy hero, riding for freedom to save justice in America. Howard Wooldridge,
from Ft. Worth originally, road his horses across the US. It took them three
years to cross the county as a promotional event forLEAP.
He has received an award from the Long Rider's Assoc. for his effort. He
shares McCool's Rebel with Just Cause
Award for 2006 with Cindy Sheehan. This award honors true patriots,
those who stood for freedom and those still standing.

Will lightning strike twice--Stockman/Democratic
office: Earlier this year I had a planned meeting with an aide and when
I arrived the legislative director and another aide sat in. The meeting lasted
nearly an hour (20-25 minutes is normal). Later, the freshman from Texas became
a co-sponsor of the bill to repeal federal marijuana prohibition.

This week roughly the same
thing happened. The LD was candid that the Member has been against any changes
for decades. He promised to bring up the repeal and try to persuade her to
see the positive outcomes. Stay tuned.

Evacuation Drill = Perfect:
These drills are always done when the Congress is in recess. Luckily I
was able to finish my 1000 meeting, as the bell went off. Outside were three
groups of high school kids and eventually someone from all three asked me
why (I put my COP jacket on naturally). Meanwhile a documentary film maker
was following me for the day and got it all on film. The footage cannot be
posted to YouTube till next year but it was a rewarding moment on the Hill.

Whistle Stop Campaign:
On the train home there were 30 senior high school students returning from
a day in DC field trip. When I put my jacket on in preparation to get off
at the next stop, the teacher asked why. In the next 9 minutes I had my jacket
photographed 30 times and answered many questions. It was a super way to end
an excellent day.

I am thrilled with this:
I believe it will be a small to medium game-changer. The NAACP national has
never endorsed this type of language.

Neill Franklin of LEAP and I worked on this
together. I wrote the draft letter to the NAACP, asking for their endorsement.
Neill did all the rest, carrying the ball for a touchdown. NAACP ENDORSES
HR 1523 - Respect State Marijuana Laws Act of 2013.(Continue)

COP
ON THE HILL

Restore
justice in America; construct science based drug policies about saving and rehabilitating
instead of ruining lives. Support for the federal war on drugs is inconsistent
with support for individual freedom, constitutional government and the
teachings of Jesus.

James Madison, the primary author of the Constitution
of the United States, said this: "We have staked the whole future of
all our political constitutions upon the capacity of each of ourselves to
govern ourselves according to the moral principles of the Ten Commandments."

"In the end, however, no constitution can be self enforcing....For the
Constitution will live only if it is alive in the hearts and minds of the
American people." Roger Pilon, senior fellow and director of CATO's Center
for Constitutional Studies.

Overview: Due to the severe drug problem in
Switzerland in the early 1990s, (rising number of injection drug users, visibility
of open drug scenes, AIDS epidemic, rising number of drug related deaths,
poor physical health, high criminality) the Swiss made a fundamental shift
in approaching the problems caused by heroin addiction. The Swiss offer treatment-on-demand.
Of an estimated 22,000 addicts, 16,500 are in treatment and 92% are given
daily doses of methadone at conventional clinics. The Swiss treat about 1300
addicts with maintenance doses of heroin via 23 special clinics operating
in cities and two prisons. The Swiss approach has resulted in lower rates
of crime, death, disease, a drop in expected new users as well as an improvement
in mental and physical health, employment and housing. The program has been
copied by six countries: Germany, Holland, Belgium, England, Spain and Canada.

* To qualify for a heroin prescription: 1)
at least 18 years old; 2) been addicted (daily use) for at least two years;
3) present signs of poor health; 4) two or more failed attempts of conventional
treatment (methadone or other); 5) (Continue below)

by
those who serve in the War on Drugs

From
the Trenches to the Benches, Criminal Justice Professionals call for an end
to prohibition!

Surrender drivers license; 6) Heroin can only
be obtained at the clinic and must be consumed on site (oral or injection).
(Note: Under strict control and specific criteria [for example full employment]
a few are allowed to take one oral dose daily away)

Patients can receive up to three doses of
heroin per day. 60% take the heroin via needle injection, the rest via pill.
The use of the oral pill is increasing.
Patients average about three (3) years in this plan. However, they may stay
in treatment indefinitely. 20% of original patients are still in the program.
The vast majority of patients are satisfied or very satisfied with the program.
Average age of patient: 38 years.

*Death Rates: No one has died from a heroin
overdose since the inception of the program. The heroin used is inspected
for purity and strength by technicians.

*Disease Rates: New infections of Hepatitis
and HIV have been reduced for patients in the program.

*New Use Rates: Lower than expected. 1) As
reported in the Lancet June 3, 2006, the medicalisation of using heroin has
tarnished the image of heroin and made it unattractive to young people. 2)
Most new users are introduced to heroin by members of their social group and
50% of users also deal to support their habit. Therefore, with so many users/sellers
in treatment, non-users have fewer opportunities to be exposed to heroin,
especially in the rural areas.

*Cost Issues: 48 dollars/day: Patients pay
from zero to 12 per day depending on their ability. Note: About 30% of patients
work for a living and pay part of the costs. Note: The Swiss save about 30
dollars per day per patient mostly in lowered costs for court and police time,
due to less crime committed by the patients.

** This summary was taken from five published
reports. The Swiss Federal Office of Public Health reviewed and approved its
release. Additional questions should be directed to Dr. Dora Fitzli, the science
and health advisor to the Swiss Ambassador at the Embassy. Her English is
near native fluency. Tel: 202-745-7954

See a pattern here? Ever wondered why it has
been so difficult to make even small changes in our policy of prohibition
AKA War on People? The 10 major organizations which are trying to end the
New Prohibition have a total budget of about 25 million dollars. The drug
companies which fear Gods medicine, AKA marijuana, put that much in
the freezers of politicians to stifle competition. Does Al Qaeda contribute
to the Republican Party? If opposition to the Drug War continues to grow,
Al Qaeda would be advised to funnel cash to prohibition politicians. Prohibition
puts 3 billion in OBLs hands every year. Putting 100,000 into a freezer
is chump change compared to losing billions.

The California Narcotic Officers Association
fears the loss of their paychecks, knowing that the sensible People of California
would legalize, regulate and tax marijuana the day after the feds end the
National Prohibition. Even if they did not lose their paychecks, they would
be reassigned to go after drunk drivers, child predators and other public
safety threats. That type of work is boring compared to kicking in a few doors
a week, waving their guns around and arresting people. Heaven forbid they
would have to take a stolen bicycle report!

MS-13 gang makes billions selling illegal
drugs in the USA. They would not be happy to see the end of Prohibition. They
would have to go back to landscape jobs! President Bush supports the Drug
War to keep his Pharma Industry lobbyists happy. He views the weekly deaths
of young teens who die selling these drugs on the sidewalk as Gods
Will. So no problem there. Mexican drug cartels enjoy the finest tequila
and tacos in Mexico on the money they are making. As a bonus, their narco-dollars
buy them influence at the Presidential Palace in Mexico City. The private
prisons in the USA lobby for more mandatory drug sentences in order to keep
their cash flow coming. The Meth Makers of Mexico make billions exporting
their product into the US and Canada.

Congressman Mark Souder supports the Drug
War because he uses it to get re-elected. I am getting tough on drugs!
He has convinced the voters in Indiana that the 2nd trillion dollars spent
on this policy will result in drugs being slightly less available to their
kids. Ditto Congressman Duncan Hunter who has convinced his California constituents
of the same thing. Our Drug Czar John Walters simply likes his government
job with all the perks of flying around the world saying how much progress
was made this year. He reminds me of General Westmoreland during the Vietnam
War and body counts.

The growers of BC Bud are making billions
exporting to the US the most potent pot on the continent. That industry now
employs more people in British Colombia than mining or forestry. The Crips
and Bloods make billions as a vertical monopoly buying in bulk and employing
their members for the retail sales. Experts say that the economy of several
large cities would collapse without the cash that the dealers generate for
their home neighborhoods. FARC (guerrillas of Colombia) have been making billions
protecting the Coca Growers of Colombia Association. FARC uses their profits
to wage war on the Bogotá government.

Fundamentalist Christians are adamant that
God believes the Drug War is just and righteous and that Jesus would also
support it. Right. Jesus would put a cocaine user in the hell hole of a Texas
prison for two years. NOT. But it is immoral to use these drugs
they say with indignation. When confronted with the fact that young teens
die every week because the policy employs a million teens, they usually blame
the parents for the deaths, not their support for the policy. Native Americans
have used mind-altering substances for centuries. Is the Christian religion
superior to their beliefs to the point that Indians should go to jail? NOT!
WWJD?

The Washington Post, the New York Times, Newsweek,
Time and US News & World Report all support prohibition. Could it be they
do not want to upset the drug makers who take out 3-4 full page ads for their
drugs? Money talks.

As you can see, the supporters of Prohibition
Two are numerous and well-funded. Nonetheless, I will use my one-eyed horse
Misty and my Stetson to promote the end of the most dysfunctional, immoral
policy since slavery until it is in the history books, or I draw my last breath.

US
Representative Barney Frank has reintroduced a bipartisan federal bill
to legalize "small amounts" of marijuana (cannabis) and make room
for serious criminals. Representative Ron Paul is a cosponsor. This Texas
straight talker says we are "politicizing
pain." "The Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults
Act of 2009"- H.R.
2943.

Medical Marijuana
Patient Protection Act- H.R.
2835 which would allow the medical use of marijuana in states that
have chosen to make its use for medical purposes legal with a doctor's recommendation.
The debate over medical marijuana or cannabis is really a scandalous
controversy over whether this very safe, effective, easy-to-grow herb should
be allowed to compete
with expensive dangerous pharmaceuticals

Harassing
the sick and dying is an un-American activity.

The
jury took just 11 minutes to acquit Tim Stevens, 53,.who uses medical marijuana
to treat the symptoms of HIV.

Commissioned
Art - Paintings and Sketches

"Once
upon a time you or someone you love was a shining star! Commission
a painting or sketch to commemorate that occasion! You can rest assured, it
will not be forgotten! "

October 2010

Dear Colleen:

We are witnessing a truly pivotal moment in
drug policy reform. In just a few short weeks, California voters will have
the opportunity to vote for Proposition 19: The Regulate, Tax and Control
Cannabis Act of 2010. Prop 19 will put police priorities back where they belong
by allowing law enforcers to do their jobs more effectively, ending the arrest
of nonviolent marijuana users and making the streets safer for everyone. Whether
you are a resident of California or not, Prop 19 affects all of us. The passage
of this initiative would be a major victory for the drug policy movement and
will impact every state, laying the groundwork for future reform and serving
as a model for legalized regulation.

LEAPs speakers, particularly those based
in California, have been hard at work to support Prop 19. On September 13,
LEAP
held a press conference, which received significant media coverage, to
announce our endorsement of the initiative. Since then, our speakers have
been in high demand in the national and local California press to discuss
Prop 19 from a law enforcement perspective. LEAP has also partnered with the
Just Say Now campaign calling on President (Continue)

To make a contribution to LEAP,
please click here. Read on for more about what our speakers have been
doing in support of Proposition 19

Former San Jose, California Police Chief
Joseph McNamara and former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper  who spent
28 years of his law enforcement career with the San Diego Police Department

appeared on CBS Evening News in support of Proposition 19.

Chief McNamara also
appeared on Fox News Channels Fox and Friends to talk about why
its time to legalize marijuana.

Retired Our speakers have been making waves
in the local California media, and as election day approaches, LEAP's visibility
continues to increase. Among the many news features on LEAP were Leo Laurence,
a former deputy sheriff, recently featured
on NBC News 11 as he spoke to students at Imperial Valley College in Imperial,
CA, and former Sutter County, CA deputy sheriff Nate Bradley appearing
on CBS 5 News.

LEAP is a nonprofit educational organization
with Tax Exempt Status under United States tax code 501(c)3, Federal EIN:
16- 1645758.

Dispatches
from the Front-line Continues

Returning
troops to front-line duty while they are taking medication such as lithium
or Prozac makes me wonder if the method to our military's madness is to use
this linkbetweenpsychotropic drugs and
violence.

Calvary Division: At Grover Norquists
brunch I met a person who will be running for the US Senate in 14. Besides
a few words on drug prohibition, I demonstrated the power of the horse to
win the votes. I use the excuse of horse power to introduce myself
and my politics.

New Ally: I spent the week hand-delivering
the NAACP endorsement of HR 1523 to all 535 offices in the Congress. I had
brief chats with two dozen aides whose reactions ranged from this is
helpful to this is important to this is huge.
I was able to have 1-3 minute chats with a record five (5) Congressmen.

Congressman Cooper was headed out the door
with his golf clubs and I asked if I could have 20 seconds. He nodded as he
waited for the elevator. He is on our side and voted last year to cut-off
DEA money to states with medical marijuana. He agreed to take a look at the
NAACP endorsement upon his return.

NOTE: I spent all day Monday sending
out an email of the endorsement to all offices. I wanted to make sure they
had a copy. Moreover, by hand-delivering usually at least two more aides (in
the reception area) knew of the event:

To an R office I would announce: (try
doing this 200 times in a day) I have cheerful news
if your boss likes the 10th Amendment/States Rights. The NAACP has endorsed
a 10th Amendment approach to pending legislation. So your boss has a new ally
of the 10th. The issue is federal prohibition of marijuana. If your office
doesnt like the 10th, you have a new adversary. (my voice would
have a hint of irony at this point)

To a D office:  I have cheerful
news if your office doesnt like the war on drugs. The NAACP is your
new ally. They have endorsed the bill to make marijuana a states rights
issue. This is not an April Fools joke. Please give this to your chief
legal counsel or the LA (legislative asst) who handles judiciary.

It took 3 days to hand-deliver a copy to 535
offices. My feet need medical marijuana, they do. Thus my being on vacation
next week is good timing. I am pooped.(Continue)

Very first day with signs in San Jose, CA

Leaving home: note new signs on back of pick
up.

Leaving Maryland: the trailer generated a
solid 100 honks and thumbs up across America

Restore Sanity Rally

Karen and I got away for a week to Puerto
Rico.

The Insanity of Marijuana
Prohibition in one foto!

COP
ON THE HILL(continues)

Portugal at dinner: While
in Denver at the DPA conference a gentleman from Portugal asked to sit at
our table. Turns out, he was receiving an award. He was THE architect of the
Portugal Decrim Program. I was able to have all my questions answered. Fascinating.

Getting the word out: I forgot to mention
last week that besides making sure all in Congress knew of the NAACP endorsement
of the bill to repeal federal marijuana prohibition, I sent an email to every
journalist I had met in 17 years .some 150..

On the boat last week I had an average of
12 people a day ask me why. Since the ship sailed from Puerto Rico, a fair
number of those were in Spanish. Leaving the ship, I was truly relaxed and
refreshed. Answering the why question in an informal setting is a pure joy
& not work.

I also encouraged all the islanders to be
the first Caribbean nation to legalize marijuana. That island would become
a Mecca for tourists, like Amsterdam. It was fun to see their reaction to
my proposal.

Hereis
a RARE Kurt Wallace report(conservative
blog & radio) 4.5M report on COP efforts to spread the word on the
NAACP endorsement either read the transcript or listen to the radio interview
either way, your support for COP is making an impact.

Footnote: Thanksgiving week was spent trying
to catch up on several hundred emails, etc.

Imagine a world where doctors were the only
people who were not allowed to offer their opinions on medicine. Or where
what farmers thought about agriculture was left unsaid for fear of public
disapproval.

That, more or less, is the situation for law
enforcement officers when it comes to any real conversation about how the
United States deals with the problems associated with drug abuse. The ones
who know from personal, and sometimes heart-breaking, experience just how
futile the whole sad enterprise is are the ones who dare not speak out for
fear of being seen as soft on crime.

There are, luckily, exceptions. One of them
rode through Salt Lake City the other day, on his bicycle and on a lonely
mission to show the American people just how wrong we are to continue to insist
on taking a law enforcement hammer to a public health nail.

Howard Wooldridge is a retired Michigan police
officer and a co-founder of the national organization Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition (www.leap.cc).
As he explained to The Salt Lake Tribune the other day  and to many
others along his ride from Oregon to Georgia  the problems we associate
with drug use are not caused by users.

They are caused by the laws, law enforcement
officers, judges and, mostly, craven politicians who dare not see or tell
the truth about how the ongoing prohibition of drugs is nearly as destructive
and just as futile as was the prohibition of alcohol early in the last century.

LEAP favors the legalization, regulation and
taxation of now-illegal drugs, along the same model as alcohol and tobacco.
That may be too drastic for our culture to embrace all in one go. But even
moving toward a decriminalization approach, which stresses education and treatment
over arrest and incarceration, would be a huge improvement.

Alcohol and tobacco, of course,
create a long list of serious social and health problems. But heavily armed
drug lords and the destruction of civil society in parts of Mexico, clogged
courts and packed prisons in the United States and street violence of the
kind that claimed the life of an Ogden police officer only a few months ago
are not among them..

If we took the undeniably huge
problem of drug abuse away from the police and gave it to the doctors, where
it by all logic and humanity belongs, we could save billions in law enforcement
costs, spend millions on treatment, and take a huge step toward real national
sobriety.

COP
ON THE HILL(continues)

Are you really a cowboy?
I spent the better part of Wednesday at Grover Norquists meeting room.
After the usual meeting, a new international group convened. This group of
about 20 will meet once a month.

After the meeting I met the assistant to the
group leader. Upon learning her first language was French I naturally began
speaking her language. She was fascinated about the trip across America &
I was telling her some stories, when another guy listened in for a moment.
He then remarked that cowboys dont usually speak fluent French, so
are you really a cowboy? I smiled and whipped out my foto of Misty and
me on the beach in Oregon at the end of our first coast to coast. Yes
sir. The cowboys in Texas gave me permission to call myself a cowboy, since
I rode one horse 3100 miles. Grover was listening in to the last part
of the chat & smiled. Always a positive to make the host look good.

* I had a good chat after the first meeting
with a gentleman who is running for the US Senate. All good.

* A member of the Republic National Committee
taught me the Spanish word for very drunk/shit-faced. Another
former staffer for Bush 43 joined us in a chat in Spanish Grovers
meetings continue to produce .

I also attended a seminar of the Federalist
Society which brought in the asst. Attorney
General from Colorado + 4 other prosecutors and lawyers. The topic was marijuana
stores opening in 2014. All good.

Two whole days were spent contacting the 140
offices that need a presentation. I booked 16 for the next two weeks .the
rest never write/call back..grrrr.

Morning Senator: I was waiting for
my 10 oclock meeting to start, when Senator Roy Blunt (R- MO) came up
to me, shook my hand and asked, What information are you giving my office
today? I was able to give my 90 second pitch, emphasizing that I represented
law enforcement who are against prohibition, advocate that drug issues should
be handled by the medical community and the whole policy should be guided
by the 10th Amendment. That was a first chat ever with a Senator in his office.
A double Crown Royal that night. Just showing up is 80% of success.

You like that?: A fellow Texan and
I were chatting near the elevators in the Longworth House Office Bldg, when
I noticed Congressman Labrador (R-ID) approaching with an aide. When he came
within easy ear-shot, I said in a fairly loud voice to my Texas buddy,
Idaho will legalize marijuana in the next few years. The two looked
at me for a moment and then went back to their conversation.

The Texan asked what I was doing, since we
had not been talking about marijuana. I told him I wanted to give the Congressman
something to ponder. He responded I was crazy in a good way.

You never know: First let me say that
currently there are rumors of about 5 Senators that might become candidates
for President. That said, I met with two aides of one of those 5. This was
a follow-up meeting, as we first met in 2012. We had an excellent 45 minute
chat, both stating they were one with me on marijuana being a states
rights issue.

Their bosses biggest concern was how to answer
the scenario of the DUI on marijuana. I explained the detection, arrest, evidentiary
and court room procedures to win a conviction. I then pulled out of my briefcase
a one pager of what I had just said. They said they felt they had a handle
on the how to and would bring the idea of a companion bill (to
HR 1523) to the boss and explain how to arrest, prosecute a DUIM. Who knows?
If this seed bears fruit, you will hear my scream.

COP did its part in 2013 to move drug prohibition
into the history books. Many hundreds of visits to Congressional offices combined
with being a part of the effort to have the NAACP endorse the marijuana repeal
bill (HR 1523) all meant more awareness of the problem and the federal solution.
COP and its members can be justifiably proud of what was achieved.

As a professional I must contain and suppress
any emotions, when dealing with the Congress and beyond. I read the same horror
stories you did in 2013 of pain, suffering and death caused by drug prohibition.
So how could I express myself to the Congress without going over the
line. Tell me if you think I succeeded.

Hi. I represent the Mexican Drug Cartel
Association (said it little slow and loud). We want to thank Congressman Sensenbrenner
for all his support in 2013 to keep marijuana illegal and hope he will do
the same in 14. We agree that legalization would be a disaster, costing billions
and billions.

Due to his voting record, the Cartels are
going to make a generous contribution to his re-election campaign. We, The
CARTELS, need more guys like your boss in Congress.

When the aide said Merry Christmas, I replied
Igualmente. {likewise to you}

***** As I was making my pitch, only about
20 aides realized  in the moment- that I was putting their boss shoulder
to shoulder with the Cartel butchers and I wish I could show you their
faces .it went from all sunny and Christmas joy to let the door
hit you in the ass on the way out. It was precious. .I have no
doubts that w/in a minute of me leaving, the other 250 offices who heard the
above realized what I had been saying.

Any office that had not taken an official
position or was a supporter of ours I just said:

Hi. I represent the Mexican Drug Cartel
Association. I bring Christmas greetings from the Cartels. We hope you will
keep marijuana illegal. The card has some humor but you know we are serious.
We ARE the Cartels.

COP stats since
inception: August 2009

46 chats with other elected
officials, state reps, senators, VIPs, etc. 00 this week

Consider
being a member of COP at $30.00 or more per year. All contributions
are tax-deductible. Law Enforcements voice in opposition to current
policy is vital on the Hill to achieve a repeal of federal prohibition. COP
provides that voice. If you agree that Modern Prohibition/War on Drugs is
the most destructive, dysfunctional and immoral policy since slavery &
Jim Crow and want to be a part of the solution Go to:www.CitizensOpposingProhibition.org
and click on Donate/Join  by credit card or send a check to:
Citizens Opposing Prohibition POB 543 Buckeystown, MD 21717

"As Congress wrestles with big budget
cuts, marijuana businesses want to help out the federal government with a
novel message: Tax us, please. Pot advocates say legalizing the drug and taxing
it like alcohol would add billions to the federal treasury, McClatchy Newspapers
report. Some analysts dismiss a pot tax bonanza as far-fetched. Still, the
idea is stirring serious debate on Capitol Hill.

The Senate Finance Committee included marijuana
taxes in an options paper on possible new revenue sources. In the House, one
proposal would legalize pot, tax it, and regulate it nationally. The less
ambitious Small Business Tax Equity Act would allow the Internal Revenue Service
to give breaks on federal income taxes for marijuana businesses. Noting that
pot remains a banned substance, Harvard economist Jeffrey Miron said, "If
they dont like the fact that they cant take certain tax deductions
because theyre in an illegal business, then they should go in some other
business where they can take tax deductions."

The United Nations NGO Conference
Beyond 2008

Normal
- Rod Skager_________LEAP - Jack Cole

Obama
to join the debate about legalizing and regulating marijuana. To make your voice
heard, please sign
the petition here.

As Election Day draws closer, Proposition
19 has a majority of support in the polls, but the vote will be close. If
you are a resident of California, please VOTE, and remind everyone you know
to vote. Today, October 18, is the deadline for voter registration in California.

LEAP is at the forefront of drug policy reform,
and our speakers have a credibility that cannot be ignored. Your genorosity
sustains our work.

Drink and drive and it's grrrrrrrr-eat! Smoke
pot and your flakes are frosted, dude. So seems the message from Kellogg's,
which has decided not to renew its sponsorship contract with Michael Phelps
after the Olympian was photographed smoking marijuana at a party in South
Carolina.

That's showbiz, of course, but the cereal
and munchie company had no problem signing Phelps despite an alcohol-related
arrest. In 2004, Phelps was fined and sentenced to 18 months probation and
community service after pleading guilty to driving while impaired. The silliness
of our laws -- and the hypocrisy of our selective attitudes toward mood enhancers
-- needs no further elaboration. Even so, things are getting sillier by the
minute.

Sheriff Leon Lott in South Carolina's Richland
County has now made eight pot-related arrests based on the snap that shot
around the world. Seven were for possession and one for distribution, after
deputies used warrants to enter the house where Phelps allegedly was photographed.

Phelps may be next.

In an earlier column, I gave Lott the benefit
of the doubt, suggesting that his hands were tied given the laws of the land
and South Carolina's political climate. I retract the benefit.

Sheriffs, though elected and therefore political,
have great latitude as to what crimes they pursue. In a state that recently
ranked among the most dangerous in the nation, one would think South Carolina's
law enforcement officials have better things to do.

Indeed, they do. In our peculiar obsession
to track down the Willie Nelsons, the Rush Limbaughs and now the Michael Phelpses
of society -- nonviolent, victimless imbibers of drugs -- we've actually made
society less safe. That's the conclusion of 10,000 cops, prosecutors, judges
and others who make up the membership of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.

Howard Wooldridge, LEAP's Washington representative,
is a former cop and detective who lectures civic clubs and congressional staffers
on the futility of drug laws that reduce public safety by wasting time and
money. He points to child pornography as just one example.

As of last April, he says, law enforcement
had identified 623,000 computers containing child pornography, including downloadable
video of child rape. Only a fraction of those have been pursued with search
warrants, thanks to limited resources and staff shortages. What's worse, Wooldridge
says, is that three times out of five a search warrant also produces a child
victim on the premises.

Another example: Last year, Human Rights Watch
reported that as many as 400,000 rape kits containing evidence were sitting
unopened in criminal labs and storage facilities. Between the Los Angeles
Police Department and the L.A. County sheriff's office, nearly 12,000 kits
were unopened, according to an NPR report in December.

Arguments against prohibition should be obvious.
When you eliminate the victimless "crime" of drug use, you disempower
the criminal element. Neutering drug gangs and cartels, not to mention the
Taliban, would be no small byproduct of decriminalization. Not only would
state regulation minimize toxic concoctions common on the black market, but
also taxation would be a windfall in a hurting economy.

No one's saying that drugs aren't dangerous.
Alcohol and tobacco are also dangerous.

And no one thinks children should have access
to harmful substances, though they already do. Parents who recoil because
their child became an addict should note that prohibition didn't help.

What prohibition did was criminalize what
is essentially a health problem -- and overcrowd prisons. In 2007, there were
872,720 marijuana arrests in the United States. Of those, 775,137 were for
possession. South Carolina just added eight to this year's roster.

The greatest obstacle to drug law reform is
public fear and politics, says Wooldridge, as he set off to give eight presentations
on Capitol Hill yesterday. "I've had staffers tell me that to even call
a hearing will get you un-elected."

Which, perhaps, explains why Sen. Jim Webb
(D-Va.) -- the only member of Congress to even approach the subject recently
-- has tackled the drug problem through the issue of prison overcrowding.
Webb has held two hearings before the Joint Economic Committee on U.S. drug
policy and incarceration costs. This year, he has promised to push for a blue-ribbon
commission to study why the United States has more people in jail than any
other country. The answer -- and the solution -- seems clear.

I'm not convinced that all drugs should be
legalized, but we should at least put prohibition on the table to take another
look. In the meantime, Sheriff Lott has some 'splainin' do to.